ASK SARAH: WHAT TO WEAR TO AN OFFICE JOB?
Thursday 02.28.13 Dear Sarah,
I would love a post on what to wear to work. All you ladies who own creative businesses and dress so stylin’ everyday make me jealous! My office is business casual and although I don’t have to wear a suit everyday I have trouble putting something together that is professional but still cool and creative. Any advice?
Thank you! -Katy
dear katy,
thanks for the great email! you are the sweetest for thinking that I dress all stylish everyday. here's the reality of my working from home situation: i have a grey cotton onesie (as in: long sleeves, pants, drawstring waist) that i spend 85% of my life in. ok, i have two. and i rotate them. i have my husband take pictures of me when i DO manage to get dressed and leave our house because it's just that much of an occasion. HA! i kid. kind of.
along with my pair of grey onsesies i also have a very rich fantasy life where i get dressed to go into an office everyday. so here is my advice: invest in a high quality and versatile handbag, buy pieces that can be mixed and matched, make best friends with accessories (they'll be what make you look put together). most importantly: remember that clothes are a tool that can be used to send a message to the people you work with. think about what message it is you want to send and invest time in putting together outfits that send it loud and clear. good luck katy! xx- sarah
who this is for: the young femme in a creative field who wants to be taken seriously but doesn't want to lose herself in business casual dressing.
why this look works: it's playful but still put together and polished. it says "i take my job seriously, but I also have a personality. RESPECT!", which is what you want your clothes to say about you, right? a simple gold necklace like this one and one of these will take this outfit to the next level.
SHOP IT HERE: zara blouse, linea pelle belt, philip lim pashli zip satchel bag, j crew pants, zara flats
TWO MORE LOOKS AFTER THE JUMP!
who this is for: the sophisticated woman in a professional environment who wants her clothes to be stylish but not a distraction.
why this look works: the dress is graphic and bold, the booties bring something unexpected and the necklace adds a pop of color and draws eye right on up to the face (which is where you really want people looking!) ad another pop oof color with a coral lipstick or gloss and you're KILLING IT!!
SHOP IT HERE: zara dress, j crew necklace, philip lim pashli zip satchel, elizabeth and james booties
who this is for: casual friday for anyone who can get away with it!
why this look works: these black pants aren't denim so you can wear them to the office without worries. on any other day of the week you can pair them with a blouse and look perfectly dressed up. the leopard shoes bring some pattern to the look and the chambray shirt is effortlessly chic. add red lips and a well styled ponytail to pull it all together.
SHOP IT HERE: madewell blouse (similar here), paige denim pants, linea pelle belt, phillip lim pashli zip satchel, zara flats
**do you have a question you'd like answered? i'm not a one trick pony, you can email me about anything and i'll search high and low for an answer, i promise. [email protected]
Reader Comments (8)
I agree with this all! Love the outfits and use of shoes and accessories. I am the same as you except I wear my lululemon Pilates clothes instead of the onsie. And I alternate them ;)
Great post! I absolutely live in J.Crew minnie pants on workdays!
Jessie
jessieholmesspringer.com
I love every single outfit in this post...I think I'll definitely have to get those Zara flats!
Great inspiration! I definitely love your casual friday look - it's something I could get away with at the public accounting firm I work with. Those pink pants, not so much, but I wish! I do have a pair of maroon pants and a pair of hunter pants that I wear, but that's as much color as I feel comfortable wearing at the office, as far as pants are concerned at least.
It's absolutely gorgeous! I love those sets and I'll use this ideas because I work in office and always have a problem how can I dress seriously and don't look boring :)
thanks everyone! so happy you like!
Love these looks! Especially the first with the bright pants! I keep telling my husband it's perfectly fine to wear colored pants to the office but he doesn't seem convinced
i have more than enough office appropriate stuff--where can i find that grey cotton onesie?! seriously though ... i'm on quite a hunt for a cozy/somewhat flattering jumpsuit with sleeves.